Railway-switch and the like.



W. A. AUSTIN.

RAILWAY SWITCH AND THE LIKE.-

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 14. 1909. 1,148,564. Patented Aug. 3,1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET L w. A. AU STIN. RAILWAY SWITCH AND THE LIKE.

I APPLICATION FILED OCT. 14. 1909- 1,148,564. Patented Aug. 3,1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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W. A.'AUSHN.

RAILWAY SWITCH AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 14, 1909- Patanted Aug. 3, 1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3- n uqu m- 1mm W. A. AUSTIN.

RAILWAY SWITCH AND THE LIKE.

- 7 APPLICATION FILED OCT. 14. I909. 1 14,54, Patented Aug. 3,1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5- 4 44a maca W. A. AUSTIN.

RAILWAY SWITCH AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 14. 1909.

1,148,564. Patented Au 3, 1915.

6 SHEETSSHEET 6.

UNITE 'r err WILSON A. AUSTIN, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO A. T. AUSTIN, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

RAILWAY-SWITCH AND THE LIKE.

Application filed. October 14, 1909.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lViLsoN A. AUs'rIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Omaha, in the county of Douglas and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway-Switches and the like, of which .the following is a description.

My invention belongs to that general class of devices known as railway switches or derails, and refers particularly to improved means or mechanism for throwing the switch to the desired position, which mechanism may be controlled or operated from a par ticular or central controlling or operating point which may be proximate to or at some distance from the switch. to be operated. The preferred construction shown is a self adjusting electrically operated or controlled switch, and is in the nature of an improvement on the switch shown and described in the application of Charles O. Anderson filed March 29, 1909, Serial No. 486,375.

My invention has among its objects the production of a simple, efiicient, safe and satisfactory device of the kind described, for use wherever it may be found applicable.

In the preferred construction shown the switch may be reversed during its operation and in case the fixed or stock rails accidentally spread or the switch parts separate for any reason, the device will be automatically operated so that the switch points or movable parts will automatically follow the stock rails or be thrown up to the same, keeping the switch points in operative position relative to the stock rails.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims. I

Referring to the drawings inwhich like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts, Figure l is a plan view of a switch and operating mechanism, a part of the operating mechanism inclosed. Fig. 2 is. a top elevation of a portion of the same with cover 15 removed. Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. i is a top elevation. Fig. 5 is a sectional'view of the same taken substantially on line 55 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a top elevation of the movable member. Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the same taken Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

Serial No. 522,553.

substantially on line 77 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on line S8 of Fig.4; Fig. 9 is a view of the pole changer. Fig. 10 is a sectional view of the same taken substantially on line 1010 of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 1111 of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken sub stantially on line 1212 of Fig. 10, and Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view ofthe preferred form of wiring.

Referring to the drawings, the usual form of railroad switch is shown, comprising stock rails l, 2, 3 and 4: and the movable switch parts or points 5 and ,6 with my improved form of mechanism applied thereto. It may be assumed for convenience in describing the device that when the switch parts or points 5 and 6 are in the position shown the switch parts are in normal position, so that a train will travel upon the stock rails 1 and 3 onto the stock rail 2 and switch part 6, etc. If the switch is opened (or the parts in reverse positions) then the train will pass from the rails 1 and 3 to the stock rail and switch part 5, etc Suitable ties 77 of the usual or any preferred construction or material, may be provided, and the rails .and switch points or parts supported and secured thereon in any suitable way. The switch points 5 and 6 are arranged to be moved from the position shown to the right so that the point 5 rests against the rail 2 and the point 6 is away from the rail 4. The switch points 5 and 6 may be provided with any suitable means forcau'sing them to move together, suitable connecting .or spreader bars 9 and 10 being shown for the purpose. Plates 22 and bolts 23 or any equivalent for the purpose,.may be employed for securing the switch points to the spreader bars.

Secured to the bar .9, as shown, and to an extension 11 is a suitable throw rod or bar 12 operativelyconnected with suitable mechanism for moving the same. In the preferred construction the throw rod 12 is operatively connected withan electric motor and the operation .of the device brought about by driving-the motor in one direction or the other to move the parts to normal or reverse positions, as vdesired. The spreader bar 9 is also connected. b means of a suitable rod 16 or the equiva ent to a movable switch member, preferably arranged within the casing 13, as will be more fully explained hereafter. A rod 17 is also preferably secured to the stock rail 1 and to a movable contact member arranged within the casing 13, the purpose and operation of the same being also more fully explained hereafter. The casing-13 may be provided with suitable extensions 18 for supporting the same on the ties, and it is also preferably secured to the stock rail 3 by means of boltsor bars 19 and nuts 20 or the equivalent for the purpose.

The rod 12 is connected or secured to a rod 24 extending within the casing by means of a pin 12 or the equivalent for the purpose, so that the same are pivotally secured together and form the throw rod. To operate the throw rod I preferably use an electric motor, the same being connected to the throw rod so as to operate the same in any suitable way. In the drawings I have shownthe construction for operatively connecting the motor and throw rod substantially similar to that shown in the Anderson application mentioned, it being understood that any other suitable construction may be employed. In the construction shown the rod 24 is suitably supported within the casing 13 and provided with a thread with a gear 26 positioned on the rod, the gear being free to rotate on the rod but retained against longitudinal movement by the casing, so that the gear in rotating in one direction or the other longitudinally moves the throw rod in one direction or the other. Ball bearings or other equivalent means'may be provided to decrease friction. To operate the gear 26 a gear or pinion 27 is provided, the same being arranged on and suitably secured to the motor shaft 27 The gear or pinion 27 is preferably yieldingly secured on the shaft 27 as shown by means of a cone 25, a resilient member and nut. Any equivalent means for the purpose may be provided. This construction forms substantially a clutch and takes all shock from the motor in the starting or stopping.

Any suitable means may be provided for preventing the rotation of the throw rod 24, a key being shown for the purpose.

Referring particularly to Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, the rod 16 is provided with a suitable member 28 secured thereto in any suitable V manner, screws 29 being shown for the purpose. The free end of the rod 16 may be slidably carried by a bracket 30 on thecas-, ing 13, or the equivalent forthe purpose. The member 28 is preferably inclined at the ends as shown and provided with contact pieces or members 31 and 32 secured in any of a bracket 39 or its equivalent, the member 40 being provided with a plurality of contact members 41, 42, 43 and 44. The member 48 carrying contact members 50, 51, I,

52 and 53 is substantially similar to the member 40 except that the same is secured to the casing 13. The contact members 41,

42, 43, 44, 50, 51, 52 and 53 are constructed substantially as shown in Fig. 5 so that they will resiliently cooperate with the contact pieces 31 and 32 when the member 28 is in the position shown or at the opposite end of its travel as the case may be. The members 40 and 48 are also provided with suitable switches 46, 47 and 55, 56, which are controlled by the member 28. The construction of these switches and the manner of controlling the same may be clearly understood by referring particularly to Figs. 5and 8 in which switch 55, 56 similar to 46, 47 is clearly shown. The switch member 46 is controlled by a suitable pin 45 arranged to coiiperate with the member 28 when at that end of its travel, while the member 55 is operated by a suitable pin 54 when the member 28 is in the position shown. As shown, the member 28 raises the pin controlling the switch, thereby opening the same when the member 28 is at the end of its travel. When the switch points are as shown in Fig. 1 the member 28 is in the position shown in Fig. 5, making contact between the members 50 and 51, 52 and 53, and breaking contact between the members 55 and 56. When the switch points are thrown to their reverse position the member 28 being'carried by the rod 16 which is secured to the switch points, travels to the right and makes contact between the points 41 and 42, and 43 and 44, and at the not at the end of its travel in either direc- 1 also provide a'suitable pole changer or switches, a suitable construction being shown in Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12, it being understood that the same is suitably electrically connected with the parts just described and with the motor and tower. The electrical connections or conductors between the parts mentioned are omitted in the detailed views in order to avoid confusion, the same being clearly shown in the diagrammatic view in Fig. 13. Referring to the figures mentioned,-57 is a receptacle or casing containing solenoid members 58 and 59 pro vided with suitable cores 60 and 61. A description of oneof the solenoids and the several contact and switch members will suffice for both. As shown, 7 6 is a member prefer ably of insulating material carrying contact members 62, 63,, 6.4 and 65. 69 is another member preferably of insulating material and supported by means of rods 71 from the member 76. The member 69 preferably carries two contact members 72 and 73 insulated from each other. The core member 60 carries a member 68 provided with suitable con tact members 66 and 67 insulated from each other, When the solenoid 58 is energized contact 66 makes contact and electrically connects members 62 and 6 1 and member 67 contacts with and electrically connects members 63 and 65. When the solenoid is not energized the core 60 drops into the position shown, by reason of gravity, and member 66 contacts with members 72 and? 3 electrically connecting the two. The operation of the same will be more clearly understood from the description of the operation of the complete mechanism. As shown, the receptacle 57 is preferably provided with a plurality of contact members 741, which are suitably connected to the several contact members mentioned, which members 7 41 are arranged to cocperate with suitable contact members 75, the same being suitably connected to the motor, the switch mechanism heretofore mentioned and the tower.

It is of course obvious that the pole changer as well as the several other parts mentioned may be considerably modified or that equivalent mechanism arranged to give the same results may be provided.

The preferred manner of wiring the apparatus is clearly shown in Fig. 13, and it is believed that the operation of the device will be clear in view of the diagram, the wiring being omitted from the other figures in order to avoid confusion. The various parts shown diagrammatically bear the same ref-,

erence characters as the detailed views illustrating the same. It might be noted that the apparatus at the tower T may be of any suitable form, a double throw switch being shown for opening and closing the several circuits, the preferred construction comprising an arrangement in which only one circuit may be closed at the same time. Also the indicating apparatus shown in Fig. 13 at the tower is indicated diagrammatically by the coil 119, it being understood that any suitable apparatus applicable for the purpose may be used. The reference character B indicates a battery, dynamo or any equivalent or suitable source of power.

, Referring, then, particularly to the diagrammatic view, Fig. 13;, three wires 94, 89 and 123 run from the point from which the apparatus is controlled, as for example, from the tower to the switch mechanism. Assuming that the switch points are as shown in Fig. 1, which may betermed normal position, and it is desired to throw them out of the normal into the reverse position. a The points being in. the[ position.

shown, the member, 28 carrying the contact members 31 and 32, is in the position indicated by the dottedlines so that the points 50 and 51 are connected by the contact member 31 and points 52 and 53 are connected by the contact member 32, contact being broken between members 55 and 56 (see Fig. 5). Assuming that the main switch S at the tower is'thrown as shown in the full lines in Fig. 13, thereby closing what may be termed the reverse controlling or operating circuit which includes conductors 89 and 94, which last mentioned conductor is common to both circuits. Starting from the battery or dynamo B the circuit may then be traced as follows: E, 86, 87, 88, 39, 90, 17, 10, 91, solenoid 53, 92, 93, 91, 95, B, energizing solenoid 58 and raising member 68, closing the circuits through 6 1, 66.

and 62, and 65, 67 and 63. This closes the motor circuit which may be traced as follows: B, 8.6, 37, 33, 39, 96, c4, 66, 62, 97, 93, 99, 100, 101, 102, armature A, 103, 104, 105, 10.6, 107, 103, 35, 67, 63, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, fields, 111, 115, 94., 95 and battery B. This causes the motor to operate and rotate shaft 34- and'consequently gear 26 thus longitudinally moving the throw rod 2 1, 12, and throwing the switch points to the right hand side from that shown. When the switch points have reached the limit of their travel the member 28 has raised the pin 45 (see Fig. 5) so that the circuit energizing the solenoid 58 is broken between the contact members -16 and 4i7. This circuit being broken the member 68 drops, breaking the several circuits at points 61 and 62, and 65 and 63, and closing a circuit between contact points 7 3, member 66 and contact point 72. The few turns which the motor makes after the power is thrown off generates a small current which is used to give an indication at the tower. The indicating circuit may be traced as follows: armature A, 102,

111, 115, 9-1, 113, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 12a, 78, 125, 72,66, 73, 126, 41, 31, 4:2, 127, 105, 10 1-, 103 and armature A, thus giving the signal that the switch has been fully moved. To throw the switch points back to the normal positionas shown in the drawings, it being understood that the parts are in the positions last mentioned, the switch S is thrown as indicated on the dotted line in Fig. 13 so that the several circuits may be traced as follows: battery B, 86, 87, 128, 123, 129, 5c, 55, 13.0, 59, 131, 93, 9a, 95, B. This energizes solenoid 59 and raises member 68, contact member '82 closing a circuit between contact points 78 and 80, and contact member 83 closing a circuit between contact members 79 and 81. The motor operating circuit may then be traced as follows: B,

86,, 87, 123, 123, 1241, 73, 32, 30, 132, 107, 106, 10.5, 104,103, armature A, 1 02, 7101, 100, 99,

98, 133, 79, 83, 81, 134, 110, 111, 112, 113, F, 114, 115, 94, 95, B. This causes the motor to Operate in the reverse direction throwingthe switch points to the left. At the limit of their travel contact is broken between members 55 and 56, as shown in Fig. 5, breaking the circuit which energizes the solenoid 59. Member 68 therefore drops, breaking the motor circuit last mentioned and closing the indicating circuit between points 8 1 and 85, so that the indicating circuit may then be traced as follows: armature A, 103, 101, 105, 106, 135, 51, 31, 50, 186, s5, 82, Si, 137, 64, 96, 89, 138, 121, 120, 119, 11s, 94, 115, 114, F, 113, 112, 111, 139, 53, a2, 52, 140, 99, 100, 101, 102, armature A, thus indicating that the switch has been closed: Should-the switch points owing to any obstruction not move up to the safe position, then the switch in the tower may be thrown over and the motor reversed taking the points back from where they started. For example, assume that the switch S is thrown asin the full lines in Fig. 13, thereby closing the reverse controlling-circuit as before described, and causing .the motor to rotate and throw the switch points to the right, and also assume that half way in their movements the switch points are obstructed and will not move farther to the right. In this case, as is obvious, the member 28 will be in aposition as shown in Fig. 13, the switches 46, and 55 being closed. To reverse the motor and bring the points back to the starting point, or to the left, the switch. S is thrown as indicated in the dotted lines in Fig. 13, closing what has been heretofore called the normal operating circuit The circuits are then as heretofore described and the motor is reversed,- bringing the points back against the stock rail as shown in Fig. 1. In case either one of the stock rails spreads or the switch points accidentally move so that the switch points or movable part and'the stock rails or fixed part become accidentally separated; as an example, assuming that the stock rail 1 spreads, the switch points being in the reverse position to that shown in Fig. ,1, then the member 40 carrying the switch member 46 will be carried in the same direction as the stock rail so that switch 40 closes. At the operation in which the switch S was thrown as indicated in the full lines, the reverse controlling or operating circuit is closed at the tower and at46, so that the solenoid 58 is energized thereby closing the operating circuit. This causes the motor to rotate sufli'ciently to bring the switch points up to the stock rail, at which time the operating circuit is vbroken as heretofore described. If the stock rail 3 spreads the member 18 carrying switch 55 will operate in substantiallythe same manher. The same results are accomplished when the switch points have accidentally moved away from the stock rails.' It will thus be seen that I have means automatically controlled by the fixed and movable parts of the switch that will throw the switch points against the fixed part whenever for any reason they become accidentally separated, that is, the switch points are maintained against or follow the stock rails.

By the term accidental or accidentally in the specification or claims in referring to the separation of the switch points or movable rail parts, I wish'to be understood as including any movement, operation or disarrangement of the parts that is not caused by the intentional or predetermined operation of the-mechanism.

While the drawings show. the construction as comprising two movable switch points it is of course obvious that there maybe only one, as for instance in some railway switches or in derails. Y

Having thus described my invention it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the form, arrangement, construction and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims, without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact construction, arrangement, combination of parts or uses shown, described or mentioned,

YVhat I claim as new by Letters Patent is: V

1. In a device of the kind describedfand in combination, railway switch mechanism, including stock rails and movable switch points, actuating mechanism for said switch points, and controlling means for said actu-- 'ating mechanism including elements connected with the stock rails and switch points, said controlling means automatically operable upon accidental lateral displacement of the stock rails. V

2. In a device ofthe kind describedand in combination, a normally fixed switch' part,'a normally movable switch part, ac-

part, a movable switch part',.means for oper-' ating said'movable partcomprising a motor operatively' connected therewith, and means and desire to secure 7 Cir erating circuits provided with means for 7 closing the same, a controlling circuitfor each operating circuit, and means connected with the switch parts for controlling said controlling circuits, said means automatically operative on the accidental separation of the switch parts.

6. The combination of a railway switch mechanism having switch points and stock rails, with a motor for actuating'the switch points, normal and reverse operating circuits for said motor, electrically controlled switches for closing each of said circuits, indication circuits, mechanical controlling means for said circuits, said controlling means having elements connected with the switch points and elements connected with each o'fthe stock rails, and means operated by said mechanical controlling means for breaking th'e circuits controlling said motor circuit switches.

7. In a device of the kind described and in combination, normally fixed and normally movable switch parts, and means for actuating the movable part, comprising a motor operatively connected therewith, means dependent upon the position of the fixed switch parts and means cooperating therewith and dependent upon the position of the movable switch parts, said means operable at any position of said movable part between the limits of its travel for controlling said motor, and automatically maintaining the movable switch part in the desired position relative the fixed switch part.

8. In a device of the kind described and in combination, fixed and movable switch parts, means for throwing the movable part to normal or reverse position as desired, said means operable for any position of the movable switch parts between its limits of travel and automatically operable upon the accidental separation of the parts by displacement of either the fixed or movable switch parts. I

9. The combination in a' railway' switch mechanism having switch points and stock rails, of a motor for actuatingthe switch points, normal and reverse circuits for said motor, switches for controlling :each of said circuits, magnets for operating each of said switches, two indication circuits, elements connected with the switch points, elements connected with each of the stock rails, the latter elements being connected in the indication circuits and being engageable by the elements connected with the switch points so as to close one of the indication circuits when the switch points are moved to engage one of the stock-rails and to'close the other 7 indication circuit when the switch points engage the other stock rail, and means operated when one of the switch points is en'- gaged, with either stock-rail to break the circuit through the respective motor-circuit switch controlling magnet. I

10. The comblnation in a ra lway sw tch mechanism having swltch points and stockrails, of a motor for actuating the switch points, normal and reverse operat ng circuits g for-said motor, switches for closing each of of said circuits, circuits including magnets for operating said switches, a'circuit-breaking device connected in each switch-operating circuit, means connecting one of said 35 circuitbreaking devices with one stock rail and the other with the other stockrail, and a movable element connected with' the switch points and adapted to operate either circuit-breaking devicewhen the respective 90,

switch point engages the corresponding stock-rail.

11. In a device of the kind described and in combination, a switch comprising stock rails and switch points and means for'throwing said switch points automatically uponthe displa cement of the rail parts, said means comprising a motor operatively connected with the switch points, normal and reverse operating clrcults therefor, provided 'with oo a main controlling switch, each of said c'jircuits provided with an electrically controlled circuit breaker therein, a controlling circuit for each of said circuit breakers, each of said controlling circuits provided with controlling mechanism connected with said switch points and said stock rails.

12. In a device of the kind described and in combination, a switch comprising stock rails and switch points and means for throwing said switch points in the desired direction from any point within the limi'tsf of its travel, said means comprising a motor operatively connected with the switch points, normal and reverse operating =cir- 11 5 cuits therefor, provided with a main controlling switch, each of said circuits provided with an electrically controlled circuit breaker therein, a controlling circuit for each of said circuit breakers, each of said 12 0 controlling circuits including said main switch and mechanically operated circuit controlling mechanism connected with saidswitch points andstock rails.

13. In a device of the kind describcd and in combination, a fixed switch part, a mo-v-' able switch part, vand means for automatically actuating said movable part when said fixed and movable switch parts are inoperatively displaced relative to each other, comprovided with a circuit breaker connected with said movable switch part and said fixed switch part.

i 14. In a device of the kind described and 1 in combination, a fixed switch part, a mov- 7 connected with said movable switch able switch part, and meansffor automatically actuating said movable part, comprising a motor, normal and reverse operating circuits therefor, a controlling switch for said circuits, both of said circuits provided with normally open electrically operated circuit breakers therein, and a controlling circuit includinga portion of said operating circuits and said main switch for each of said circuit breakers, each of said controlling circuits provided with a circuit breaker part and said fixed switch part.

15'. Ina device of the kind described and in combination, a fixed switch part, a movable switch part, and means for automatically actuatingsaid movable part, comprising a motor, normal and reverse operating CII'CIlItS thGIGIOI, a controlling switch ior said circuits, both of said circuits provided with normally open electrically operated circuit breakers therein,and with a controlling circuit including a portion of said operating circuits and said main switch for each of said circuit breakers, each of said controlling circuits provided with a, circuit breaker connected with said'movable switch part and said fixed switch part, and means for indicating when the movable part has reachedthelimit of its travel in either direction.

16. In a device of the kind described and in combination, fixed and movable rail parts, controlling means for said movable part, automatically operable upon the displacement of either of said parts.

A railway switch of the kind described comprising movable rail parts and normally immovable stock rails, actuating mechanism for said movable rail parts, controlling means ,for .said'actuating mechanism, and means for automatically operat-;

A V the stock rails.

18. A railway vswitch of the kind described comprising movable and normally immovable rail portions, actuating mechatrolling means for said actuating mechanism for said movable rail portion and con-' nism, said controlling means .connected with said movable and normally immovable portions so that said actuating means is auto matically operated by the movement of;

either 19. In a device of two fixedrails, aomovable railpart, con

trolling and actuatingmeans for said mov-' able part'including a plurality of switches connected with said movable part andjone of said fixed rails and operable by displacement oi eitherjthe fixedor the movable parts.

ment of the stock rails.

of the kind described and 1n combination, a fixed rail part consisting 21. In a, device ofthe kind described and in combination, a fixed switch part, a m'ov able'switch part, means for operatlng said movable f partcomprising a motor operatively connected therewith, and means for controlling said motor including an operat-' ing circuit, and means for automatically closing the operating circuit when the fixed and movable switch parts become'separated comprising means connected with the fixed and movable switch parts. T

-. 22. The combination in a railway jswitchf mechanism including switch points and stock rails, of a motor for actuating the said pomts, normal and reverse operating; on

cuits' for said motor, indicating circuits, switches for closing sald mdicatlng c rcuits,

said switches comprising elements, connected with each of said stock rails and an element connected with the switch points 23. The combinationin a railway switch mechanism, including switch points and.

stock-rails of a motor for actuating said switch points, normally open circults for said motor, electrically controlled switches included] therein, controlling circuits for said switches, and indicatingcircuits, one of said indicating circuits including an element.

directly connected to one stock rail, and the ed with, the other stock rail.

other including anelement directly connect-ff In testimony 'whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the scribing witnesses. V

" WILSONA. AUSTIN.

' Witnesses: r r Y c i M. L. HYDE, it 1 A. A. MoCLUiin.

presence of tworsub- Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, .Washington, D. C. I 

